Canal Wildlife.

NATURE AND WILDLFE

As you gentle cruise along the canals on your narrowboat holiday you will get back to nature and will meet the wildlife close up. Whilst travelling at a speed that is little more than walking pace you will be able to get a good look at wildlife that you would otherwise miss. In fact as you are cruising the canals on your narrowboat holiday you will find that the wildlife comes to you.

To keep the kids (and adults) entertained on your canal boat holiday it is worth packing a few small items that may help with spotting the different sorts of wildlife. A set of binoculars will help you to see the wildlife close up from the comfort of your narrowboat. A wildlife book comes in handy to help identify the different sorts of species – why not see how many you can spot. The kids will love keeping a note of, or drawing, the many birds, flowers or animals you see on route, so a small pad of paper and a pencil is a good idea. A small fishing net (like the ones used for rock pooling) can help you get a closer look at some of the canals amphibian inhabitants. A camera, of course, to capture all of your narrowboat holiday memories.

Sounds of the canals

Because of the much quieter pace of life on your narrowboat holiday it means you will enjoy the many sounds of the British countryside. Listen for the sound of owls hooting at dusk or the call of wild fox. In the still of the mornings or in the early evenings you may hear a splash which could be frog hunting for flies or a fish jumping out of the water. At times it will be so peaceful you will hear the birdsong and even the buzz of the bumble bees.

Sights on the Canal

As you are gently cruising along feed the moorhens and swans and in the evening as you are having a relaxing drink on deck watch the bats as they fly low over you catching flies. The canal towpaths are an ideal habitat for flora and fauna and on your canal boat holiday you will be in a privileged position to drift past unspoilt landscapes full of wild treasures. You may be lucky enough to spot buzzards swooping over farmland or a flash of blue as a kingfisher darts into the reeds.

Just a few examples of what you may see on your Narrowboat Holiday......

Birds:Swans, Herons, ducks, moorhens, coots, kingfishers, grebes, geese, buzzards, kestrels and sparrow hawks
Insects: Dragonflies, butterflies, mayflies, damselflies and bees
Mammals: Foxes, badgers, squirrels, rabbits, water voles, otters and bats.
Amphibians: Frogs, toads and newts.
Reptiles: Grass snakes and terrapins – Yes terrapins not native to Britain but they have made their homes in the canals after being discarded as pets.